A decade-old flagship luxury EV with over 150,000 miles on the odometer sounds like an instant red flag to most used-car shoppers. Battery degradation and expensive technology that will eventually require replacement are intimidating enough for most people hunting for a deal on a used EV. Yet, a recent example of a 2015 model-year flagship EV that covered about 160,000 miles tells a surprisingly different story. Its battery still retains an estimated 86 percent of its original capacity and can still travel about 186 highway miles on a charge. The real question remains: Is this a deal worth considering, or one you should avoid at all costs?
The Oldest Model S Sedans Are Now Crazy Bargains
Exterior shot of a 2015 Tesla Model S.Bring-a-Trailer
If you haven’t figured it out yet, the flagship EV we are alluding to is the Tesla Model S, which has gone from a six-figure luxury car to downright affordable. The dramatic depreciation isn’t just about the age of the vehicle, however, but also reflects the cost of replacing expensive components that are well beyond their original warranty coverage.
A Flagship EV Costs Less Than A New Economy Car
Exterior shot of a 2015 Tesla Model S.Bring-a-Trailer
Tesla first introduced the Model S for the 2012 model year, and when it was new, the Model S carried a starting MSRP in the range of $70,000 to $110,000. Outside of the U.S., that price range was even higher. However, nowadays, you can score a 2015 Tesla Model S in the $11,500 to $16,850 range from a dealer, while private-party examples can go as low as $10,000.
When comparing candidates, consider that mileage, battery condition, trim, service history, and charging benefits can create large differences between seemingly identical cars. Charging habits can affect remaining battery capacity, so two cars with identical mileage may have completely different useful remaining lives. If you are searching for the best overall value proposition, the P85D performance model that debuted for the 2015 model year provides supercar-level performance for a fraction of the original price.
The Biggest Risk Isn’t Always The Battery
Stock shot of the Tesla Model S batteryTesla
While it may be a natural inclination to worry most about the status of the high-voltage battery when shopping for a used EV, there are many other specific issues you must also consider when shopping specifically for a Model S. Some well-documented issues include complications with the drive units, air suspension system, MCU1 infotainment computer, door handles, power liftgate, panoramic roof, climate-control system, and charging hardware.
Despite its reduced price, the Model S is still a flagship luxury sedan. When things break, which they inevitably will on a car this old, they tend to cost a lot to replace compared with a standard economy car that normally wouldn’t even have a fraction of these features. Yet, you won’t get a better picture of long-term ownership than by looking at a real-world example to see what actually happens after more than a decade of use.
A 160,000-Mile P85D Still Offers Significant Useful Remaining Life
Exterior shot of a 2015 Tesla Model S.Bring-a-Trailer
The most revealing evidence comes from a 2015 Model S P85D that has accumulated almost 160,000 miles while retaining its original battery. Instead of behaving like an EV nearing the end of its useful life, this example demonstrates how much capability can remain after 11 years of constant driving.
Over A Decade Old But Still Offering 86 Percent Battery Health
Exterior shot of a 2015 Tesla Model S.Bring-a-Trailer
You might think there is no way that a decade-old EV can keep going on its original battery while still offering useful remaining life. Well, a recent 2015 Model S P85D did just that, reaching almost 160,000 miles on its original battery pack. Using the Tessie app, it was estimated that the P85D still had approximately 86 percent of its original battery capacity remaining. Because the early Model S uses the older MCU1 hardware, a proper overnight battery-health test could not be performed. Yet, this example is not a one-off occurrence. Many other similar high-mileage Model S examples have demonstrated that they can retain about 85 to 90 percent of their original capacity, even as they creep toward the 200,000-mile mark.
For context, the original P85D had an EPA-estimated range of 253 miles, and a 150,000-plus-mile example can still offer about 186 miles of highway range, or slightly more under easier driving conditions. That translates to roughly 14 percent degradation after more than a decade of driving, which is far less catastrophic than most used-EV shoppers may have assumed.
691 Horsepower Yesterday Is Still 691 Horsepower Today
Exterior shot of a 2015 Tesla Model S.Bring-a-Trailer
Perhaps the most amazing detail about a bargain-priced P85D is the fact that its 691-horsepower capability is by no means diminished. With its dual-motor AWD powertrain, the P85D can achieve a zero-to-60 mph time of 3.2 seconds.
That isn’t just fast—it’s brutally violent acceleration that will instantly elevate the heart rate of even the calmest passengers. For all intents and purposes, the P85D offers supercar-level acceleration, and its performance remains both exhilarating and slightly terrifying. While a battery pack may lose some of its range over time, its performance rarely experiences a meaningful or noticeable decline. If you want the outright acceleration of a 2015 Audi RS7 for a lot less money, you simply won’t find a faster and more convenient option than the 2015 Model S P85D.
Where A 10+ Year-Old Model S Shows Its Age
Side shot of a Blue 2017 Tesla model S on the road.Tesla
While the battery may not be as big of an issue as anticipated, that doesn’t mean everything is perfect when acquiring a Model S more than a decade into its lifespan. Our P85D example reminds us that expensive problems in an aging Tesla can come from the systems surrounding the battery rather than the battery itself.
Air Suspension And Other Expensive Repairs
Interior of the 2019 Tesla Model S dashboardTesla
One of the Model S’s most well-known expensive issues is its air suspension system. Even a small leak can cause issues, such as the front end sagging after more than two days of sitting still. The suspension can function normally while driving, but sagging when parked is a sign of a leak, which means the air compressor has to work harder and can eventually contribute to complete failure.
Downward interior shot of a 2017 Red Tesla Model STesla
Other known concerns include the power door handles, powered liftgate, panoramic roof, climate-control system, and charging-port mechanism. Most of these issues are the same ones you would face with any decade-old luxury sedan and are not exclusively EV-related. For example, you’ll be replacing 265/35/21 rear tires if you opt for a P85D, and you’ll be lucky to find a set of name-brand replacements for less than $500 per tire, before even accounting for installation. The 2015 Audi RS7 also uses similarly sized 275/30/21 tires, and replacement costs would be roughly the same.
MCU1 Hardware Is Its Limiting Factor
2019 Tesla Model S front seatsBring A Trailer2019 Tesla Model S rear seatsBring A Trailer
Another major concern is the early Model S’s MCU1 infotainment computer, which simply feels dated and slow compared with modern systems. It also has storage-related weaknesses, including the well-documented eMMC failure. After too many read/write cycles, the memory chip in the unit can wear out, leading to slow performance, sudden crashes, and eventually rendering the system inoperable. There is an option to upgrade to MCU2 directly through Tesla, but that will set you back an additional $1,500 before taxes.
An MCU2 upgrade can improve the value of a used 2015 Model S, and if you plan to keep the car, you will find that this upgrade substantially modernizes the ownership experience. You get a newer 17-inch touchscreen and updated infotainment hardware that enables LTE cellular connectivity. The upgrade also unlocks video-streaming apps such as Netflix and YouTube, along with an expanded Tesla Arcade.
A High-Mileage Model S Offers Clear Value With Some Caveats
Dynamic shot of the 2019 Tesla Model STesla
While the value potential is clear, not every early Model S will reach 160,000 miles without major repairs. Yet, mileage alone tells buyers surprisingly little about whether one of these cars is a smart purchase, making battery testing, service records, and charging history far more important than the odometer.
The Electric Powertrain’s History Matters More Than The Mileage Figure
Tesla Model Y Battery X-RayTesla
As with any diligent car purchase, you should have a pre-purchase checklist once you narrow down your options. If the high-voltage battery or drive unit has been replaced and the paperwork checks out, you might be getting a steal. If the MCU has been upgraded, then that only sweetens the deal. Have any of the air-suspension components been replaced or repaired? If not, you may want to know how much it costs to replace some of the most common failure-prone parts, because eventually, something is likely to need attention.
Repairs can add value if they were performed properly and provide key information about the vehicle’s current condition. Documentation is your friend; the more you have, the better. If possible, make time for a Supercharger session to ensure the charging speed is within the expected range. Unusually slow charging can indicate that an expensive repair may be on the horizon.
Free Lifetime Supercharging Can Change The Entire Ownership Equation
Tesla Model S, Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model X, and Tesla Model Y charging through Tesla SuperchargersTesla
If you are looking into purchasing an early Model S, you may already know about the transferable SC01 free lifetime Supercharging benefit. While not every original Model S owner opted for SC01, this option may be the difference between a used Model S being a distant fantasy and an achievable goal. If you live in an apartment, frequently travel long distances on the highway, or simply don’t have access to convenient overnight charging, SC01 certainly makes Model S ownership more viable.
Our earlier 160,000-mile P85D example saw heavy Supercharger use and still retained much of its useful battery capacity. To have a realistic chance of finding a Model S with transferable SC01 Supercharging, focus your search on cars built through 2016. The SC05 free Supercharging option is not transferable to the next owner, and if an SC01-equipped vehicle is traded back to Tesla, the SC01 benefit is generally removed from the VIN.
Tesla Model S interior shotTesla
In the end, a well-documented example with strong battery health, healthy drive units, functional electronics, and transferable SC01 Supercharging can be an amazing deal. Simply buying a high-mileage example because it’s cheap, however, is a dangerous decision.
Base Trim Engine
Electric
Base Trim Transmission
Single Speed Automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
380 hp
Fuel Economy
94/97 MPG
Make
Tesla
Model
Model S
Segment
Midsize Sedan
Infotainment & Features
10 /10
Sources: Tesla, Audi, Kelley Blue Book
